With his debut album, I LIKE THIS ONE, Joe Stilgoe enchanted audiences everywhere with his charm, wit and great talents as both a vocalist and piano player. It showcased Joe not only as a performer but also as a songwriter of skill far beyond his years.
Candid Records CEO Alan Bates believed firmly that Joe Stilgoe would be the next star to emerge from the Candid sky. Alan is famous for his eye for talent and has brought us some of the finest the UK Jazz scene has to offer. Following in the footsteps of Stacey Kent, Clare Teal and Jamie Cullum, Joe has now flown the Candid nest, and looks set to flourish.
Joe Stilgoe’s formidable piano technique (described by jazz singer Ian Shaw as "a cross between Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Les Dawson") and vocal range (described as "wonderful" by New York cabaret legend Steve Ross), which seem so effortless, actually stem from a classical training starting when he was five. His parents, both professional musicians, spotted his talent at the piano and encouraged him, with partial success, to practise. Sometimes bribes were used. Through his father, songwriter Richard Stilgoe, he began to learn and love the songs that made Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme and Harry Connick Jr. (all strong influences) famous. From his mother, opera singer Annabel Hunt, he learned the discipline and understanding needed to tackle a career in music.
Joe is now working on the follow up album, which he says will be “much more punchy, reflecting my early taste for Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Waller, through to Billy Joel, Elton John and Harry Connick. At the same time I’ve had the chance to listen to some amazing music, people like Elbow, Bon Iver, Laura Marling and Adele, which all seeps in to the process somehow. I’ve been writing a ton of songs, and though not kicking jazz away, I’m using that great feel from jazz and swing records and hopefully updating my sound.”
Having been working with Grammy-nominated producer James McMillan in his seaside Hastings studio, Joe’s new songs will be reaching out to a much wider audience, and with a busy schedule ahead, 2011 could be an interesting year.
WHAT HE’S DONE
Joe has appeared at Ronnie Scott's, the Royal Festival Hall, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Barbican, The London Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Festival, Henley Festival, Sardinia Jazz Festival, Sicily Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Dubai jazz Festival and in jazz clubs from New York to Berlin to Kuala Lumpur. He has had numerous radio appearances, including Friday Night Is Music Night, In Tune, Live From The Stables and Parkinson's Sunday Supplement programme. He has also appeared twice on the Alan Titchmarsh show on ITV1.
“…a truly remarkable singer songwriter, not to mention outstanding piano player… I thank you for creating that most exciting of moments when, as a lover of good music, you know you have seen and heard something remarkable.” Sir Michael Parkinson
"Songs at the piano don’t get much sharper than this.Whether he’s performing his own material or reshaping an old favourite." ***** The Observer
“Revealing himself to be a powerful improviser with an instinctive gift for melody”
The Times
“More talent than you can shake a walking stick at” David Finkle, Back Stage, New York
" Not since Oscar Peterson’s halcyon days have I heard a jazz piano player who could be compared to such a great artist in both technique and inspiration."
Sir John Dankworth
"Best New CD of the year.A very ear-catching singer.highly accomplished pianist.Extraordinarily enterprising, imaginative and articulate songwriter." *****
The Jazz Rag
"An impressive debut from a great talent" The Vortex CD Review
"A sparkling pianist with technique to burn, Stilgoe is a warm-voiced, engaging singer too." ***** Hi-Fi News
***** Record Collector
"An impressive opening salvo by anyone's standards" Jazzwise
"His piano playing is a cross between Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Les Dawson."
Ian Shaw
"Well, stone the crows, this Joseph is a clever kid." Sir Tim Rice
"Better than Kraftwerk" a man at Bestival, 2009
